Direct evidence for three-dimensional off-axis trapping with single Laguerre-Gaussian beam.

Optical tweezers are often applied to control the dynamics of objects by scanning light. However, there is a limitation that objects fail to track the scan when the drag exceeds the trapping force. In contrast, Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams can directly control the torque on objects and provide a typical model for nonequilibrium systems such as Brownian motion under external fields. Although stable "mid-water" trapping is essential for removing extrinsic hydrodynamic effects in such studies, three-dimensional trapping by LG beams has not yet been clearly established. Here we report the three-dimensional off-axis trapping of dielectric spheres using high-quality LG beams generated by a special holographic method. The trapping position was estimated as ~ half the wavelength behind the beam waist. These results establish the scientific groundwork of LG trapping and the technical basis of calibrating optical torque to provide powerful tools for studying energy-conversion mechanisms and the nonequilibrium nature of biological molecules under torque.

Enhancement of autophagy is a potential modality for tumors refractory to radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy is a well-established treatment for cancer. However, the existence of radioresistant cells is one of the major obstacles in radiotherapy. In order to understand the mechanism of cellular radioresistance and develop more effective radiotherapy, we have established clinically relevant radioresistant (CRR) cell lines, which continue to proliferate under daily exposure to 2 Gray (Gy) of X-rays for >30 days. X-ray irradiation significantly induced autophagic cells in parental cells, which was exiguous in CRR cells, suggesting that autophagic cell death is involved in cellular radiosensitivity. An autophagy inducer, rapamycin sensitized CRR cells to the level of parental cells and suppressed cell growth. An autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine induced radioresistance of parental cells. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy by knockdown of Beclin-1 made parental cells radioresistant to acute radiation. These suggest that the suppression of autophagic cell death but not apoptosis is mainly involved in cellular radioresistance. Therefore, the enhancement of autophagy may have a considerable impact on the treatment of radioresistant tumor.

Transglutaminase down-regulates the dimerization of epidermal growth factor receptor in rat perivenous and periportal hepatocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, we found that transglutaminase 2 (TG2) might be involved in the difference in proliferative capacities between periportal hepatocytes (PPH) and perivenous hepatocytes (PVH) through down-regulation of high-affinity epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, it is uncertain whether this high-affinity EGFR contributes to the hepatocyte growth signalling pathway. Here, we have investigated the influence of TG2 on EGF-induced EGFR dimerization and its phosphorylation, which are important steps in the hepatocyte proliferative/growth signalling pathway, in PPH and PVH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PPH and PVH were isolated using the digitonin/collagenase perfusion technique. Amounts of TG2, EGFR dimerization and its phosphorylation were determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Pretreatment with monodansylcadaverine, an inhibitor of TG2, greatly increased EGF-induced EGFR dimerization and its phosphorylation in PVH compared with PPH. Conversely, treatment with retinoic acid, an inducer of TG2, significantly decreased EGF-induced EGFR dimerization and its phosphorylation with a significant increase in TG2 expression and its catalysed products, isopeptide bonds, in both subpopulations. It was found that EGFR served as a substrate for TG2. CONCLUSION: The present data showed good correlation with our previous data on EGF-induced DNA synthesis and EGFR-binding affinity to EGF. These results suggest that zonal difference in cell growth between PPH and PVH may be caused by down-regulation of EGFR dimerization and subsequent autophosphorylation through TG2-mediated cross-linking of EGFR.

Transglutaminase differentially regulates growth signalling in rat perivenous and periportal hepatocytes.

The influence of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) activity on the proliferative effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and on EGF receptor affinity in periportal hepatocytes (PPH) and perivenous hepatocytes (PVH) has been investigated using a primary culture system. PPH and PVH subpopulations have been isolated using the digitonin/collagenase perfusion technique. DNA synthesis was assessed by [3H] thymidine incorporation into hepatocytes. The assay for binding of [125I] EGF to cultured hepatocytes was analysed by Scatchard plot analysis. Pretreatment with the TG2 inhibitor monodansylcadaverine (MDC) greatly increased EGF-induced DNA synthesis in both PPH and PVH. Furthermore, [125I] EGF binding studies in PVH treated with MDC indicated that high-affinity EGF receptor expression was markedly up-regulated, whereas in PPH, there was no significant effect. Treatment with retinoic acid (RA), an inducer of TG2 expression, significantly decreased EGF-induced DNA synthesis in both PPH and PVH. Binding studies in the presence of RA revealed that the high-affinity EGF receptor was down-regulated and completely absent in both PPH and PVH. These results suggest that TG2 was involved in the differential growth capacities of PPH and PVH through down-regulation of high-affinity EGF receptors.

Scanning laser Doppler flowmeter study of retinal blood flow in macular area of healthy volunteers.

AIM: To compare the interocular and intraocular differences of capillary perfusion, and the intraocular regional differences of retinal blood flow in the macular area of healthy volunteers. METHODS: Tissue blood flow in the macula was examined in both eyes of 20 healthy volunteers with the Heidelberg retinal flowmeter. Blood flow measurements were made in a 10 degrees x 2.5 degrees area superior and inferior to the macula. The mean blood flow (MBF) was calculated by an automatic full field perfusion image analyser program. The MBF in the right and left eyes and in the superior and inferior macular areas of the same eye were compared. RESULTS: The ratios of the MBF in the right eye to the left eye in the macular areas were 1.00, and 1.03, respectively. The ratio of the MBF in the superior macular area to the inferior area was 1.01 for the right eyes and 1.04 for the left eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Because no significant differences were found in the MBF between the two eyes and between the superior and inferior macular areas in the same eye, interocular (for example, affected eye versus fellow eye) and intraocular (superior versus inferior macular areas) comparisons of MBF can be made to determine if changes in retinal perfusion have occurred.

Sonographic features of hepatic artery calcification in chronic renal failure.

PURPOSE: Little is known about radiological aspects of hepatic artery calcification. For this reason, the sonographic features of calcified hepatic arteries were studied in patients with chronic renal failure who frequently develop tissue calcification due to hyperparathyroidism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ultrasound was performed in 314 patients on dialysis who underwent examination of the liver, spleen and kidney twice in the past 4 years and were reevaluated with particular attention to acoustic shadowing. Abdominal CT was carried out in 219 of these 314 patients, and ultrasound findings were reevaluated with reference to CT findings. RESULTS: A large acoustic shadow was seen in the hilum that corresponded to the calcified hepatic artery on CT in 8 patients, and in another 9, a similar large shadow was seen in the hilum without CT confirmation. Acoustic shadows of various sizes were definitely or most likely due to arterial calcification within the liver in 36 patients. The strength of shadow depended on the angle at which the ultrasound beam hit the artery. Probable calcification of small arteries accompanying portal veins was seen in 70 patients. These changes are different from those due to pneumobilia and biliary tract diseases. CONCLUSION: Calcification of the hepatic artery can be identified by its acoustic shadow.

Phenotype of cytochrome P4501B1 gene (CYP1B1) mutations in Japanese patients with primary congenital glaucoma.

AIM: To investigate the phenotypes associated with cytochrome P4501B1 gene (CYP1B1) mutations in Japanese patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). METHODS: 66 Japanese patients with PCG were screened for sequence mutations in the CYP1B1 gene using single strand conformation polymorphism analysis followed by automated DNA sequencing. 11 cases had a CYP1B1 mutation in both alleles (the mutation group) and 21 cases did not have a CYP1B1 mutation (the "no mutation" group). The clinical features, such as age of onset, sex, intraocular pressure, and Descemet's membrane rupture, of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The clinical symptoms and signs did not differ for the two groups. The mean age at onset was 1.7 months in the mutation group and 3.1 months in the no mutation group, and the male:female ratio was 6:5 in the mutation group and 19:2 in the no mutation group. Both of these differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In clinically diagnosed cases of PCG, a subgroup shows a CYP1B1 gene mutation. Age at onset was earlier in PCG patients with CYP1B1 mutations than in patients without mutations. Women were more prevalent among patients with mutations than those without mutations.

A new method of segmental resection for primary lung cancer: intermediate results.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the postoperative results of limited resection for small lung cancer, we have developed a new operative method, pulmonary artery-guided segmentectomy. This resection begins with identification of the pulmonary arterial branches involved in the tumor, then the pulmonary tissue is divided along the pulmonary arteries (i.e. guided by pulmonary arteries) from the hilum toward the periphery by electrocautery. The advantages of this method include the facilitation of securing adequate margin from the tumor, and the feasibility of intralobar lymph node dissection during operation. To examine the efficacy of the new method of segmental resection, we retrospectively reviewed 74 cases of T1N0M0 disease who underwent the pulmonary artery-guided segmentectomy. METHODS: From 1993 to 2000, 74 patients with pathological T1N0M0 lung cancer were treated by the pulmonary artery-guided segmentectomy. Forty-one patients (55.4%) who underwent the segmentectomy had been considered suitable candidates for lobectomy (intentional resection group). The other 33 patients (44.6%) were considered poor candidates for lobectomy because of poor cardiopulmonary reserve (compromised resection group). RESULTS: The overall survival rate at 5 years was 82.0%. The 5-year survivals in the intentional and the compromised resection groups were 81.6 and 77.6%, respectively, and no significant differences were detected between the groups. According to tumor size, the 5-year survival rate for patients with tumors of 20 mm or smaller (92.9%, n=53) was higher than that for the patients with tumors of 21-30 mm (63.0%, n=21), but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Median follow-up time of 27.0 months revealed eight locoregional recurrences and four deaths due to lung cancer. Sixty-three patients (85.1%) are alive with no evidence of disease, and six patients (8.1%) are alive with recurrent disease. Locoregional recurrences occurred in one of 53 patients (1.9%) with tumors 20 mm or smaller and in seven of 21 patients (33.3%) with tumors 21-30 mm, the difference being statistically significant (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our intermediate results demonstrated that the new pulmonary artery-guided segmentectomy could be an alternative method for selected patients with small lung cancer, particularly with tumors 20 mm or smaller in diameter.

Acute renal failure and hearing loss due to sodium bromate poisoning: a case report and review of the literature.

Acute renal failure with hearing loss due to sodium bromate intoxication is described. A 48-year-old woman who ingested permanent wave neutralizer in a suicide attempt and developed anuria was admitted to our hospital for hemodialysis. Bromate intoxication was suspected and hemodialysis was carried out; she required maintenance dialysis 3 times a week. Irreversible severe sensorineural hearing loss continued and peripheral polyneuropathy developed in the lower limbs. We measured the concentration of bromine in the serum before and after the first hemodialysis and found its removal rate to be 61.3%. This is the first report that proved the utility of hemodialysis for bromate intoxication in a clinical setting.

Histopathological study of kidney abnormalities in an experimental SIADH rat model and its application to the evaluation of the pharmacologic profile of VP-343, a selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist.

The aim of this work was to investigate histopathologically the relationship between the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) and kidney abnormalities and the therapeutic efficacy of VP-343 ((N-[4-[[(2S,3aR)-2-hydroxy-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-alqunoxalin-5(1H)-yl]phenyl]-4'-methyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxamide], a selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, in an experimental SIADH rat model. In the model, which was prepared by continuously administering 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), histopathologic abnormalities, such as dilatation of tubules, basophilic changes in tubules, inflammatory cell infiltration, and mineralization were found in the kidney, accompanied by significant increases in the relative weight of the kidney, lung, liver, adrenal gland, and heart. VP-343 was shown to be effective in protecting the kidney from the histopathologic abnormalities and to normalize the relative weight of the kidney and several common pathophysiologic features, such as hyponatremia, hyposmolarity of plasma, hyperosmolarity of urea, and oligurea, as described previously. These results demonstrate the occurrence of histopathologic abnormalities in the kidney and the efficacy of VP-343 in improving abnormalities in the DDAVP-induced SIADH rat model.

Novel cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) gene mutations in Japanese patients with primary congenital glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate CYP1B1 gene mutations in Japanese patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). METHODS: Sixty-five unrelated Japanese patients with PCG were screened by PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis followed by direct sequencing. No patients were offspring of consanguineous marriages, a common occurrence among patients in previous reports. PCG haplotypes were constructed with intragenic polymorphisms in affected individuals. Three-dimensional atomic structures of human CYP1B1 and four mutant CYP1B1 sequences representing missense mutations were assembled using homology modeling and were regularized by an energy-minimization procedure. RESULTS: Eleven novel mutations, including seven definite and four probable mutations, were detected in 13 (20%) of the 65 unrelated patients. Of the seven definite mutations, three were predicted to truncate the CYP1B1 open reading frame. The other four were missense mutations (Asp192Val, Ala330Phe, Val364Met, and Arg444Gln), all located in conserved core structures determining proper folding and heme-binding ability of cytochrome P450 molecules. Molecular modeling demonstrated that two of four mutations in positions 330 and 364 were structurally neutral, but Arg444Gln caused significant structural change. Of the four probable mutations, three were missense (Val198Ile, Val320Leu, and Glu499Gly); the other was a base substitution in the noncoding region of exon 1. CONCLUSIONS: The 11 varied CYP1B1 mutations found in 13 unrelated Japanese patients with sporadic occurrence of PCG represent an allelic heterogeneity and may be unique to a specific population.

Heat shock protein 27 was up-regulated in cisplatin resistant human ovarian tumor cell line and associated with the cisplatin resistance.

To understand the molecular basis for failure of cisplatin (CDDP) based chemotherapy, we compared gene expressions between CDDP sensitive and resistant ovarian tumor cell line, 2008 and 2008/C13*5.25, by mRNA differential display. We detected both up-regulated and down-regulated bands in the resistant cell and found some of them to be positive on Northern blotting. DNA sequencing revealed one to be mitochondrial heat shock protein 75. We found that HSP27 and HSP70 were also up-regulated in the resistant cell by Western blotting. Further, transient transfection with the HSP27 sense gene made the sensitive cell more resistant, while transient transfection with the antisense gene made it more sensitive.

Molecular cloning of rat USF2 cDNA and characterization of splicing variants.

The complete nucleotide sequence of rat USF2 cDNA was determined. In addition to the full length clone (USF2FL), four isoforms (delta1, delta2, delta3, and delta4) suggested to be generated by alternative splicing were isolated. USF2delta1 and delta2 lacked 27 and 67 internal amino acid residues, respectively. USF2delta3 and delta4 lacked most of the entire sequence but encoded short peptides of an N-terminal portion of USF2FL. Overexpression of USF2FL increased the transcription of the human high affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) alpha chain gene through specific binding to the CAGCTG motif in the first intron. On the other hand, overexpression of USF2delta1 or delta2 reduced the transcription of the human FcepsilonRI alpha chain gene. Both USF2FL and USF2delta1 bound to CACGTG as well as CAGCTG, while USF2delta2 bound to CACGTG but not to CAGCTG. These results suggested the presence of a different and definitive role of each variant in the expression of the alpha chain gene.

A novel gene, CRR9, which was up-regulated in CDDP-resistant ovarian tumor cell line, was associated with apoptosis.

In the screening for cisplatin (CDDP)-resistance related genes by a mRNA differential display method, we detected some increased bands in CDDP resistant ovarian tumor cell line 2008/C13*5.25. One of them, named DD9, was a positive fragment on Northern blot analysis. We cloned it as a full length cDNA by 5'RACE and found a novel gene, CRR9 (Cisplatin Resistance Related gene 9). The CRR9 gene was transcribed into a 2.0 kb mRNA, encoding 512 amino acids. The putative protein had transmembrane-like domains and well conserved on C terminus with human CLPTM1 and the homologs found in Drosophila and C. elegans. Transfection assay showed that the CDDP-sensitive strain 2008 with CRR9 was more sensitive to CDDP, indicating that CRR9 was not associated with the CDDP-resistance, but the CDDP-induced apoptosis.

A complex composed of USF1 and USF2 activates the human FcepsilonRI alpha chain expression via a CAGCTG element in the first intron.

The high-affinity IgE receptor, FcepsilonRI, is a key regulatory molecule in the allergic reaction. During the course of studies to find cis-acting elements for FcepsilonRI alpha chain gene expression, a CAGCTG sequence located in the first intron was revealed to serve as a crucial enhancer element. Electromobility shift assays using antibodies and in vitro translation products showed that the CAGCTG element was recognized by the USF1/USF2 complex. As was the case for other intronic cis-elements, the CAGCTG element regulated the promoter in an orientation- and position-dependent manner. Overexpression of USF2 antisense repressed the FcepsilonRI alpha chain gene promoter and decreased the amount of alpha chain mRNA in mast cell lines. All these results indicated that the USF1/USF2 complex activates the human FcepsilonRI alpha chain gene expression via the CAGCTG element in the first intron.

Salicylic acid induces the expression of a number of receptor-like kinase genes in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Receptor-like protein kinases (RLKs) are encoded by a divergent multigene family and their functions have been implicated in a wide range of signal transduction pathways. In this study, we examined the effect of salicylic acid (SA) on the expression of RLK genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. RNA gel blot analysis revealed that transcripts of RKC1 and a number of its homologs, whose translation products contain C-X8-C-X2-C motifs in the putative extracellular domain, accumulated to a higher level in response to SA treatment of plants. The chimeric fusion between the RKC1 5'-upstream region and the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene reproduced the SA responsiveness in transgenic plants. In addition, some of RLK genes of the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) class and those of the S-domain class were also induced by SA. We found that the upstream regions of these SA-responsive RLK genes contain the TTGAC sequence, which has been suggested to be important for induced expression of many plant defense genes. These results suggest the involvement of a number of RLKs in SA-mediated defense responses.

The therapeutic efficacy of VP-343, a selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, in the experimental SIADH rat model.

The aim of this work is to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of VP-343 ((N-[4-[[(2S,3aR)-2-hydroxy-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]qunoxalin-5(1H)-yl]phenyl]-4'-methyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxamide), a selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, using the experimental SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone) rat model. In the model, which was accomplished by administering continuously 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), serum sodium levels (S(Na)) and serum osmolarity levels (S(Osm)) significantly and remarkably decreased, which was accompanied with hyper-osmolarity of urine and oliguria. VP-343 increased rapidly and dose-dependently S(Na) and S(Osm). VP-343 exhibited marked diuretic action and decreased urine osmolarity dose-dependently. In the SIADH rat model, all serum levels of chloride, calcium, creatinine, total cholesterol, and uric acid decreased when compared with normal levels. VP-343 increased all serum levels of chloride, calcium, and total cholesterol. These results indicate that VP-343 has efficacy to normalize the abnormalities in DDAVP-induced SIADH.

Analyses of segmental lymph node metastases and intrapulmonary metastases of small lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Curativity and indications for limited resection of small peripheral lung cancer remain controversial. METHODS: Pathologic investigations of segmental lymph node metastases and intrapulmonary metastases in the resected lobe were performed for 94 small peripheral lung cancers (3.0 cm or less in diameter). RESULTS: Nine patients had segmental lymph node metastases, 1 had intrapulmonary metastases, and 1 had both. Of these 11 patients, 5 had metastases limited to the primary tumor-bearing segments, 2 had metastases in nonprimary tumor-bearing segments, and 4 had metastases in both. Of the 10 patients with segmental lymph node metastases, 7 had metastases in both lobar-hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, and 3 of 8 with adenocarcinoma had a tumor 2.0 cm or less. CONCLUSIONS: Segmentectomy seems more favorable than wedge resection, but the risk of remnant tumor remains as compared with lobectomy. Evaluation of lobar-hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes is helpful to determine the presence or absence of segmental lymph node metastases. Limited resection can be undertaken with smaller tumors to allow preservation of more lung function while accepting a somewhat enhanced risk of recurrence.

Novel mutations in the myocilin gene in Japanese glaucoma patients.

Myocilin is a gene responsible for juvenile onset primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) mapped as the GLC1A locus and, many mutations have been reported worldwide. Some mutations were found not only in patients with juvenile onset POAG, but also in patients with late onset POAG and in patients with normal tension glaucoma. To investigate the mutation prevalence in Japan, we performed a mutation analysis in 140 unrelated Japanese patients. We have identified the 10 sequence variants, of which four were highly probable for disease-causing mutations (Arg46ter, Arg158Gln, Ile360Asn, and Ala363Thr), and six polymorphisms (Gln19His, Arg76Lys, Asp208Glu, Val439Val, Arg470His, and Ala488Ala). Thus, myocilin mutations were found at the rate of 4/140 (2.9%) probands, similar to previous reports with other ethnic populations.